Lucasfilm confirms Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill will be in Star Wars: Episode IX

The next big film Star Wars will begin production Wednesday, August 1 in London, and Lucasfilm has officially announced the distribution of the film. Although there are no surprises regarding actors playing the roles of the characters introduced in the rest of the trilogy, there are some major revelations: Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will be back, just like Billy Dee Williams, now officially confirmed role of Lando Calrissian, after rumors earlier this year.

Other actors taking up their roles in the untitled sequel include Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe), Lupita Nyong & # 39; o ( Maz), Domhnall Gleeson (Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Heavy (Ko Connix) and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO).

Spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi forwards

Image: Lucasfilm

The most surprising thing about the announcement comes from the three actors drawn from the Star Wars trilogy. Hamill's character, Luke Skywalker, became a member of the Force after his fight with Kylo Ren at the end of the film The Last Jedi while Carrie Fisher died in 2016. His death caused the director Star Wars IX Colin Trevorrow dramatically rewrote his screenplay before leaving the project, and Lucasfilm issued a statement promising not to use CGI to recreate the actress, as he did in Rogue One with Peter Cushing and a newer version of Carrie Fisher. Previously, Lucasfilm had stated that Fisher would not be in the film at all. According to the latest statement, Fisher will appear in the film "using unpublished images taken for Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Gwendoline Christie will resume his role as Captain Phasma after the (apparent) dead character in The Last Jedi .

After the departure of Trevorrow, Lucasfilm brings back The director of JK Force Abrams, who rewrote the script with Chris Terrio ( Argo, Justice League and Batman V Superman : The Dawn of Justice ). Abrams says " find a really satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without it escaping us.We would never recast, or use a CG character.With the support and blessing of his daughter, Billie , we found a way to honor Carrie's legacy and her role as Leia in Episode IX using unpublished images that we filmed together in Episode VII

The film was originally scheduled to open in May 2019, but was postponed until December 20, 2019 after the change of director.